UPSC Sociology Optional Paper 1 2024 PYQ

Section a · Q1(a) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss the nature of Sociology. Highlight its relationship with Social Anthropology.

Sociology

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Section b · Q1(b) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Analyse the changing nature of caste as a status group.

Sociology

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Section c · Q1(c) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Marriage as an institution has undergone a radical transformation from 'ritual' to 'commercial' in its outlook. Explain the factors behind this change.

Sociology

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Section d · Q1(d) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Democracy needs a vibrant culture of civil society in order to strengthen its foundation of citizenship. Comment.

Politics and Society

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Section e · Q1(e) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

What are the 'basic and irreducible' functions of the family as proposed by Talcott Parsons? Explain.

Sociological Thinkers: Karl Marx

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Section a · Q2(a) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

Sociology is the product of European enlightenment and renaissance. Critically examine this statement

Sociology

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Section b · Q2(b) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

Do you think 'objectivity' is an over-hyped idea in sociological research? Discuss the merits and demerits of non-positivist methods

Sociology as Science

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Section c · Q2(c) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

What is social mobility? Critically examine the classification of 'closed' and 'open' models of social stratification

Stratification and Mobility: Concepts

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Section a · Q3(a) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

How do you view and assess the increasing trend of digital ethnography and the use of visual culture in sociological research?

Sociology

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Section b · Q3(b) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

Describe the main idea of Max Weber's book, *The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism* as a critique of Marxism

Sociological Thinkers: Karl Marx

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Section c · Q3(c) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Critically explain the salient features of 'alienation' as propounded by Karl Marx

Sociological Thinkers: Karl Marx

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Section a · Q4(a) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

What do you understand by 'mixed method'? Discuss its strengths and limitations in social research

Sociology as Science

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Section b · Q4(b) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

Define the concept of 'gig' economy and discuss its impact on the labour market and workers' social security net

Sociological Thinkers: Karl Marx

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Section c · Q4(c) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Critically assess the impact of technological advancement and automation on the nature of work and employment

Sociology

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Section a · Q5(a) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Describe various characteristics of a 'social fact'. How is the rate of suicide a social fact according to Durkheim?

Sociological Thinkers: Karl Marx

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Section b · Q5(b) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Explain G.H. Mead's idea of development of 'self' through the 'generalised other'.

Sociology

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Section c · Q5(c) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Describe the differing principles of work organization in feudal and capitalist societies.

Works and Economic Life

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Section d · Q5(d) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

How is 'power' different from 'authority'? Discuss various types of authorities as theorized by Max Weber.

Sociological Thinkers: Karl Marx

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Section e · Q5(e) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Critically examine the roles of science and technology in social change. What is your opinion on their increasing trend in 'online' education and teaching?

Social Change in Modern Society

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Section a · Q6(a) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

Underline the role of social media in contemporary social movements and describe its challenges

Politics and Society

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Section b · Q6(b) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

How does a multicultural society accommodate diversities of all kinds-ethnic, linguistic, and religious? Discuss its major challenges

Religion and Society

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Section c · Q6(c) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss the concept of animism and differentiate it from naturism

Sociology

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Section a · Q7(a) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

Do modernization and secularization necessarily go together? Give your views

Sociology

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Section b · Q7(b) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

How do you understand the phenomena of the mushrooming of sects and cults in contemporary society? Discuss the factors responsible for the trend

Religion and Society

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Section c · Q7(c) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss the dimensions of power in the construction and maintenance of social hierarchies in a society

Politics and Society

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Section a · Q8(a) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

Modern families have not just become nuclear and neo-local, but also filiocentric. How do you explain this trend?

Sociology

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Section b · Q8(b) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 20 marks · Solution

Discuss various theories of social change. Explain the limitations of unilinear theory of social change

Social Change in Modern Society

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Section c · Q8(c) · UPSC 2024 · Sociology GS 1 · 10 marks · Solution

Critically examine the World-Systems theory of Immanuel Wallerstein in terms of development and dependency of various nations

Social Change in Modern Society

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